UK: Further job losses lined up at InBev

InBev has lined up yet more redundancies in the UK, this time at its brewery in Wales.

The UK arm of the brewing giant confirmed today (2 April) that it expects "reductions in roles" at its Magor brewery of up to 80 staff. The news follows the announcement earlier this week that InBev UK is in talks with union representatives at its Samlesbury brewery near Preson, with a view to cutting up to 166 jobs at the facility.

"We are in consultation with our Magor employees and their representatives following a detailed efficiency study, where there could be reductions in roles of up to 80," a spokesperson for InBev UK told just-drinks today. "We hope to manage some of those through vacancies and natural turnover.

"We announced at the beginning of the year that we were carrying out an efficiency study at the plant. This is in the context of rising raw (material) prices and energy costs, as well as wider economic circumstances."

The Magor Brewery is responsible for the production of InBev brands including Stella Artois, Boddington's, and Murphy's Stout.

Earlier this week, InBev UK said it is engaged in a "detailed consultation process" with employees, their trade union and elected representatives on options for a proposed restructure at the Samlesbury brewery.

"We can confirm that brewing operations will continue at the site, though with a proposed reduction in the number of roles," a spokesperson said. The consultation process would focus on the proposals and "what can be done to mitigate any consequences".

InBev UK, which employs around 2,500 people, operates three breweries in the UK, at Samlesbury, Magor and Wellpark.

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